CATS Academy Boston (波士顿文理中学) | International Student Guide: 2026 Programs, Entry Requirements, Costs and Application Support — Ranking, Fees, Admission
Direct Answer
If you are researching CATS Academy Boston as an international student, this guide provides a structured overview of the school’s programmes, entry requirements, and the application process. CATS Academy Boston (波士顿文理中学) is a co-educational college-preparatory boarding and day school located in Braintree, about 20 minutes from downtown Boston. The school operates from a purpose-built campus on over 20 acres, with five dedicated residential halls and facilities that include science laboratories, art studios, music rooms, and a medical centre. UNILINK is suitable for providing application information and support based on your background, helping you navigate the steps involved in applying to this international boarding school. This CATS Academy Boston international student guide covers the key facts you need before submitting an application.
UNILINK offers application information and support based on each applicant’s background and the institution’s published requirements. This service does not constitute an admission or visa promise. All admissions decisions are made by the school, and every offer is subject to the institution’s current entry criteria and official offer documentation. When you reach out, you can expect a response within one business day.
School Identity and Campus
CATS Academy Boston is a co-educational college-preparatory boarding and day school for international and American students. The student body includes approximately 25 percent American students, creating a mixed domestic and international environment. The school’s purpose-built campus represents a significant investment, with facilities spread across more than 20 acres in Braintree, Massachusetts, a short drive from central Boston.
The main academic building houses 43 classrooms, including six language laboratories, six wet laboratories, and three dry laboratories. Creative and performing arts spaces include seven music rooms, three art studios, and a Black-Box experimental theatre. Athletic and specialised facilities include a gymnasium, a weight room, a competition-grade soccer field, a business lab, a fashion lab, and a newly constructed basketball court. A medical centre is located on campus.
Residential life is organised across five dormitory buildings offering over 400 single and shared rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The single-room residences are Emmerson House, Kennedy House, Wheatley House, and Gardner House. Attucks House provides shared-room accommodation. The school has invested over one million dollars in campus safety infrastructure. Each dormitory has residential staff known as Dorm Parents, who are responsible for providing pastoral care.
Programmes and Academic Pathways
The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum designed for students who intend to progress to US universities. Within this framework, several targeted programmes address specific academic goals and transition needs.
The Ivy Plus Program is available to high-achieving students in grades 9 through 12 who are aiming for admission to highly selective universities. This programme provides an academically rigorous pathway with additional support tailored to competitive college applications.
For students entering the school who need to build foundational language and academic skills before the regular term, CATS Academy Boston runs a High School Preparation programme. This is a two-week course focused on helping students adjust to the American educational environment and the daily routines of the school.
A separate College Counseling Preparation programme, also lasting two weeks, is designed for students transferring into grade 12 in the US system. This short programme concentrates on the college application process, giving students a structured start to their university planning during a critical year.
The school maintains partnerships with several post-secondary institutions, including Full Sail University, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Quincy College. Through these partnerships, students can access college-level courses and earn credits while still enrolled at CATS Academy Boston.
For international students whose English proficiency is below the standard entry thresholds, the school offers a programme called CATS Extra. This provides additional language support to help students reach the level required for full participation in the academic curriculum.
Entry Requirements for International Students
Admissions requirements at CATS Academy Boston are set by grade level and include both prior academic completion and English language proficiency. The school publishes minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores for each entry point. The figures below reflect the school’s published thresholds; applicants should confirm current requirements directly with the admissions office before applying.
For grade 8 entry, international students must have completed the equivalent of US grade 7 and present a TOEFL score of 40 or an IELTS score of 4.0. For grade 9, the academic prerequisite is completion of the equivalent of US grade 8, with the same language threshold of TOEFL 40 or IELTS 4.0.
Grade 10 applicants need to have finished the equivalent of US grade 9 and must meet a slightly higher language requirement of TOEFL 50 or IELTS 4.5. For grade 11, the prerequisite is completion of the equivalent of US grade 10, with a TOEFL score of 60 or IELTS 5.0.
Grade 12 entry requires completion of the equivalent of US grade 11 and a TOEFL score of 65 or IELTS 5.5. For the Postgraduate year, applicants must hold a high school diploma or its international equivalent and present a TOEFL score in the range of 94 to 101 or an IELTS score of 7.
Students who do not meet these language benchmarks may be eligible for the CATS Extra programme, which provides a supported entry route with additional English instruction. Enquiries about specific eligibility and current requirements can be directed to [email protected].
Student Life and Support Systems
Every student at CATS Academy Boston is assigned a Personal Advisor. This advisor monitors academic progress and pastoral wellbeing, and sends progress reports to parents twice per semester. The advisor system is designed to give each student a consistent point of contact throughout the school year.
During orientation, new students receive practical help with settling into life in the United States. The school assists with opening bank accounts and setting up mobile phone plans, addressing two of the most immediate logistical needs for international arrivals.
The dining programme offers a culturally diverse menu that includes both traditional American food and international options. This reflects the school’s multinational student body and is intended to make the boarding experience more comfortable for students from different backgrounds.
Student representation is organised through a Student Government, which acts as the voice of the student body. This group provides a formal channel for student input on school life and activities.
University Placement Outcomes
The school publishes examples of recent graduate destinations, illustrating the range of institutions its students have gone on to attend. Among the outcomes cited are Karolina from Ukraine, who progressed to Brown University; Dima, also from Ukraine, who went to the University of Pennsylvania; Yam from Hong Kong, who enrolled at New York University; Landry from Rwanda, who entered DePauw University; and Cath from Vietnam, who joined Florida State University. These examples represent individual student outcomes and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of admission to any particular institution. Each student’s university placement depends on their academic record, standardised test scores, application strength, and the admissions criteria of the receiving university at the time of application.
Application Process and Next Steps
Prospective students and families can begin by reviewing the grade-level entry requirements and identifying which programme best fits the applicant’s academic background and goals. The school hosts open-house events, including a session scheduled for Saturday, 11 April, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, which offers an opportunity to visit the campus and speak with staff.
For those preparing an application, it is worth comparing the different pathways available at international boarding schools. Our pathway comparison outlines key differences between programme types and can help clarify which option aligns with your academic timeline. If you are ready to begin the application itself, the application guide walks through the typical documents and steps required.
Document preparation is a critical part of any international school application. UNILINK’s document service provides support with gathering and checking the materials you will need to submit. Once your application is under way, our follow-up commitment explains how we stay in contact with you and the school throughout the process. To learn more about who we are and how we work with international students, visit the about UNILINK page.
FAQ
Q1: What type of school is CATS Academy Boston?
CATS Academy Boston is a co-educational college-preparatory boarding and day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts, roughly 20 minutes from Boston. It serves both international students and American students, with the domestic cohort making up about 25 percent of the student body. The school provides a US-style university-preparatory education and offers several specialised programmes, including the Ivy Plus Program for high-achieving students aiming for selective universities, as well as short-term preparation courses for students transitioning into the American school system.
Q2: What English proficiency scores does CATS Academy Boston require for admission?
The school sets minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores by grade level. For grades 8 and 9, the requirement is TOEFL 40 or IELTS 4.0. Grade 10 requires TOEFL 50 or IELTS 4.5. Grade 11 requires TOEFL 60 or IELTS 5.0. Grade 12 requires TOEFL 65 or IELTS 5.5. The Postgraduate year requires TOEFL 94–101 or IELTS 7. Students whose English is below these thresholds may be eligible for the CATS Extra programme, which provides additional language support. All requirements should be verified with the admissions office before applying.
Q3: Does CATS Academy Boston offer university-level courses while students are still in high school?
Yes, the school has established partnerships with Full Sail University, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Quincy College. Through these partnerships, students can take college-level courses and earn credits before they graduate from CATS Academy Boston. These opportunities allow students to experience college-level academic work and potentially strengthen their university applications. The specific courses available and the credit transfer arrangements depend on the partner institution’s policies at the time of enrolment.
Q4: What support does the school provide for international students adjusting to life in the US?
During orientation, the school helps new international students open bank accounts and set up mobile phone plans, addressing two immediate practical needs. Each student is assigned a Personal Advisor who monitors academic progress and wellbeing, sending reports to parents twice per semester. Residential life is supported by Dorm Parents who live on site and provide pastoral care. The dining programme offers a culturally diverse menu that includes both American and international food. A medical centre is also located on campus.
Q5: Can students visit the campus before applying?
The school holds open-house events that give prospective students and their families an opportunity to tour the campus and meet staff. One published event is scheduled for Saturday, 11 April, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Attending an open house can provide a firsthand look at the facilities, including the classrooms, laboratories, art studios, music rooms, sports amenities, and residential halls. Families interested in visiting should contact the admissions office to confirm event dates and registration details.
信息来源
- CATS Academy Boston, “Home - CATS Academy Boston,”
- CATS Academy Boston, “Our School - CATS Academy Boston,”
- CATS Academy Boston, “Admissions - CATS Academy Boston,”
- CATS Academy Boston, “Student Experience - CATS Academy Boston,”
- CATS Academy Boston, “Campus & Facilities - CATS Academy Boston,”
Last updated: July 2026. Programmes, fees and entry requirements are subject to the institution’s current official pages and offer documentation.